All posts tagged: dog business

When Wanda Fary was asked why she would be the best person to launch and run her business concept, Pawsitive K9, she responded with what seems like an obvious answer:

“It’s my dream. Who else would be qualified to make MY dream come true?”

Fary is vying to be one of three prospective business owners selected from a pool of local entrepreneurs to share a combined value of $95,000 in goods, services and start-up capital to launch a business on Main Street. The Launch Gloucester program is part of Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s Virginia Community Business Launch initiative and is locally overseen by Gloucester Main Street Preservation Trust and Gloucester Main Street Association.

If selected, her business concept would be Gloucester’s convenient one-stop-shop for dog daycare/playcare, training classes, high quality accessories and fun, grain-free treats made in the United States.

Fary has always had a soft spot for pups. She’s a graduate of Animal Behavior College where she earned a dog-training certificate and worked for several years as a part-time paid foster care coordinator for the local humane society.

“I’ve learned through my experience that many dogs are surrendered or abandoned because of behavioral issues or lack of exercise and basic training,” Fary said. “Many families simply need help providing enough exercise for their dogs to burn off excess energy that often turns into destructive or unacceptable behavior.”

Fary first learned of the Community Business Launch on Facebook and started casually throwing around the idea to her friends and family. Their response? She was swamped with “DO IT,” likely because of her various volunteer efforts with non-profit humane organizations and because of her previous career as a dog trainer.

And though Fary would love to win, she’s thankful for the experience, regardless of the outcome.

“It’s been a once in a life time opportunity to learn and grow and make new friends,” she said of the Launch Gloucester competition. “None of us have really been competing against one another, but have helped each other in a variety of ways to achieve our dreams… I have a feeling Gloucester will be seeing many more than just three new businesses opening in the near future.”

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Retail Alliance’s educational arm, the Center for Retail Excellence, has partnered with Gloucester Main Street Preservation Trust to launch a Certificate in Retail Operations, available to all retailers in Gloucester and surrounding areas.